By now, it’s no news that Barcelona president Joan Laporta wants Erling Haaland to be his flagship acquisition for the summer of 2022. Over the last three years, the 21-year-goalscoring old’s heroics at RB Salzburg and Borussia Dortmund have established him as one of the game’s most prolific young strikers.
Almost all of Europe’s best clubs are eyeing a summer move for the Norwegian international, which has a €75 million release clause due to activation. Nonetheless, considering the pay he would expect plus the agent commission, signing him would be a major financial commitment.
Laporta and Haaland
Nonetheless, Laporta remains committed to going all-hard to get Haaland, with new reports suggesting that Barça could take out a huge loan to bankroll the transfer. According to Deportes Cuatro, the striker’s agent, Mino Raiola, has reached an agreement with Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu that Haaland will join the Catalans in the summer if the club can get the necessary finances.
Raiola and Laporta have met several times in recent months to try to reach an agreement. The Blaugrana’s good friendship with Haaland was always thought to put them in a favorable position in the hunt for Haaland’s signature.
If the aforementioned information is to be trusted, this appears to be the case. Raiola and Laporta have a ‘transfer pact’ to complete the move for the Dortmund striker if the Catalans can raise the necessary finances, according to the report.
The Potential Deal
According to the source, a potential deal worth €100 million may already be in place, with Barça offering him a €30 million three-year contract with a two-year extension option.
Laporta wants to sign the 21-year-old striker as a direct response to Real Madrid’s likely signing of PSG’s Kylian Mbappe. Los Blancos are also interested in signing Haaland, although it has been suggested that the Norwegian might prefer a move to Camp Nou rather than the Bernabeu, where he would have to compete with Mbappe for attention.
The president of Barcelona appears to be optimistic in his ability to close the transaction. However, it remains to be seen whether he will be able to acquire the required funds to complete the Haaland deal.
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